What is Arsenal’s best starting XI for the 09/10 season?

This is where you get to pick Arsenal’s best starting line-up for this season. First up, I’ll reveal my selection (based on Arsenal’s squad at time of writing). Obviously I’m aware that Arsene Wenger will use several different formations this season, for different scenarios, but this is the default team I would go with:
My XI (in a 4-3-3 formation):Manuel Almunia
Bacary Sagna, William Gallas, Thomas Vermaelen, Gael Clichy
Denilson, Cesc Fabregas, Alex Song
Robin van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner, Andrey Arshavin
Almunia and the back four pick themselves but there are lots of permutations for the front six.

It seems to me that Cesc Fabregas, Andrey Arshavin and Robin van Persie must start. They are Arsenal’s three best creative players, no question. If all three can stay fit for the majority of the season, Arsenal might mount a more serious challenge than many people think.
With Denilson and Alex Song for support, Cesc can get forward – without worrying about a big, empty space behind him – and remember how to score goals. The further up the pitch he can operate, so much the better.
I prefer RvP as a second striker and so I’d pick Nicklas Bendtner – who is improving fast and, crucially, is blessed with the height and power that so many of his team-mates lack – as the target man. Arshavin is tricky because he doesn’t like playing out wide, so I’d give him and Van Persie a brief to roam and swap sides, feeding off Bendtner’s knockdowns and layoffs.
When you look at the talent left on the bench, you realise how difficult a job Arsene Wenger has. For example, there’s no room in my starting XI for Theo Walcott, Samir Nasri, Eduardo, Tomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Carlos Vela. Phew.
Wilshere, Vela and Ramsey are not quite ready to become first-team regulars (in Wenger’s mind, anyway), while Eduardo and Walcott may make more of an impact coming off the bench. Nasri and Rosicky won’t be fit for the start of the season, and anyway I’m not sure I’d have either in my starting XI. Close but no cigar.
This was a very tough XI to come up with and I’m sure that there will be plenty of lively banter among Arsenal-supporting Pies readers. After all, no one loves a mass debate more than your average Gooner.
Anyway, that’s how I see it. By the time you get to leave a comment, perhaps Brede Hangeland will be alongside Billy Gallas?
Let’s hear your XIs…MOREWhat is Tottenham’s best starting XI for the 09/10 season?

SONG WOULD NOT BE PLACED ON THE RIGHT.
Also i would argue that Eduardo is a far better player than Bendtner and in a 433 the need for a tall target man is less.
——–Almunia
Sagna-Gallas-Verm-Clichy
–Fabregas-Song-Rosicky-
VPersie-Eduardo-Arshavin

The 433 formation that Wenger is heading towards doesn’t lend itself to 2 defensive midfield players, otherwise it’ll lack width.
(maybe if we need to keep a game tight, but generally I don’t think so, it will become a 451 otherwise).
So based on that, it would be your formation, except the middle 3, which I’d have as
Cesc Song Nasri/Rosicky
(i.e. cesc&Rosicky/Nasri – which ever is fit first! – can hold onto the ball, create space, play in forward players)

Cesc Song Nasri/Rosicky
Midfield looks a wee bit fragile to me, but then I think we all appreciate how difficult Wenger’s job is. I’m sure he can instruct Denilson and Song to maintain more width than they usually would.

RVP should drop to the bench. If we were playing 4-4-2 then i’d play him but I dont think he suits any of the front 3 positions. We need a predator and someone to run in behind playing in the middle and that’s Eduardo, not someone dropping off and trying to create like RVP does. I’ve never rated him playing wide, although he’s much better cutting in from the right than playing on the left.
Personally i’d have the same team but Eduardo for Bendtner and Walcott for RVP

got myself two teams here. i now understand why arsene is so reluctant to buy, the team is quite strong if we can get hangeland
almunia
sagna djorou gallas clichy
song
cesc nasri/rosicky
RVP dudu AA23
OR 2nd team
fabianski
eboue hangeland verm gibbs/troare
denilson
ramsey diaby
TW14/wiltshire bendtner CV12

————ALMUNIA
SAGNA VERMEALAN GALLAS CLICHY
———SONG DENILSON
————-CESC
———RVP THE OWL
————-EDUARDO
THEN BRING ON JACK AND THEO IF WE’RE IN TROUBLE. BIG BENTNER ALSO. VELA IF NEEDED! AND ALSO USE ROSICKY WHEN AVAILABLE. WHO SAYS WE CANT CHALLENGE WITH THAT TEAM, AS LONG A THE DEFENCE DOES WELL THEN WE REALLY SHOULD!

rvp plays brilliantly in a 433 for holland
this is our line up for the start of the season excludin rosicky and nasri due to injury.
——–Almunia
Sagna-Gallas-Verm-Clichy
———–Song
—Denilson
———–Fabregas
VPersie———-Arshavin
——–Eduardo
full team
——–Almunia
Sagna-Gallas-Verm-Clichy
———Song–
—-Cesc
———-Rosicky/nasri
VPersie———Arshavin
——–Eduardo

Almunia
Sagna-Gallas-Vermaelen-Clichy
Song
Fabregas-Diaby/Denilson
Walcott/Van Persie-Arshavin
Eduardo/Bendtner
Since Rosicky/Nasri is out, I would play the above one.
Later we can think of more creative options
Check this out guys…http://www.arsenalite.blogspot.com

ALMUNIA
SAGNA GALLAS VERMALEN CLICHY
DENILSON
ROSSICKY FABREGAS NASRI
ARSHAVIN
EDUARDO
there is no call for bendtner,van persie or walcott
eduardo and arshavin are really going to show there true colours this season…eduardo is defintly the most talented striker in the arsenal squad and he will hsow that this year as he has already showed us in his return towards the end of last season and his pre season games during this summer
arshavin is the premier leagues new ronaldo only not as flashy and selfish on the ball

Almunia
Sagna – Vermaelen – Gallas – Clichy
Song
Fabregas – Nasri
Eduardo – Bendtner – Arshavin
I know, I know, 80k a week to sit on the bench for RVP, but Eduardo is far more clinical with his finishing and I can see Bendtner ousting him this season. Walcott and RVP second choice and a target man (Chamakh?)

When we tried the Liverpool style 4-2-3-1 at the end of last season, we didn’t get the best out of Cesc. I’m not sure he looked that comfortable for Spain there either over the Summer. Maybe he’s best in a flat 4-4-2 (as he was with Flamini).
I would still like to see a strong DM come in for Song (although he was pretty good last year). Without injuries I would like to see Wenger try the following:
—————Almunia—————–
Sagna—-Gallas—–Vermaelen—Clichy-
Rosicky—-Fabregas—-Song—-Arshavin
——–Van Persie—-Eduardo———-

Almunia
Eboue–Vermaelen–Gallas–Gibbs
Wilshere–Fabregas–Song–Rosicky
Arshavin
Bendtner
This team will probably raise a few eyebrows but i prefer these two full backs as i think they offer so much more going forward and i genuinely believe that wilshere will prove to be the best player to come out of england since paul gascoigne.

I think that 4-3-3 might be a bit ambitious, we can’t attack like nutters because we’re not great at the back especially if there are injuries.
Something like this might look nice :
————————ALMUNIA———————–
–SAGNA———GALLAS———-VERMAELEN—-CLICHY—
————————DJOUROU———————–
————————FABREGAS———————-
—WALCOTT——————————–NASRI——-
——————-RVP———-ARSHAVIN————–
All in all a nice attacking 4-4-2 but also covering the possibility of the strikers falling back or swapping with the wide players.
I also think Djourou is good enough on the ball and fast enough to play in the holding midfielder position, we could have song instead but I think that as we have seen him quite a lot already it might be time to give someone else a go, because Alex Song has never really impressed me.

The suggested first team is nearly what I feel common sense demands except I cannot see how we would leave Eduardo out. It seems a choice between RvP and Bendtner to start to the left of the central striker (Eduardo) giving:
Almunia
Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Cliche/Gibbs
Denilson, Song
Fabregas
Van Persie/Bendtner, Eduardo, Arshavin
With ‘Djourou a replacement for Gallas or Vermaelen’, ‘Nasri as a potential replacement for any of the midfielders’, ‘Rosicky a replacement for Fabregas or Denilson’ and ‘Diaby a replacement for Song or Denilson’: surely a team worthy of any league or cup

Almunia( no other choice is there?)
Sagna(Just wish he has a decent cross)
Clichy(Just wish he has a decent cross)
that’s where Eboue & Gibbs might come in.
Vermaelen(Djourou backup)
Hangeland(Gallas plays in CL games)
M. Diarra(unless Diaby realize he’s NOT Zizou)
Song is backup, Denilson to be loaned/sold.
Rosicky(or Nasri, whether who is less crocked on Matchday)
Fabregas(Ramsey/ Jack backup)
Arshavin(Vela backup)
RVP( tho his shot is erratic & he slows the game, I pick him over Walcott, who can’t play 90min effectively yet)
Eduardo(Bendtner backup)

Almunia
Sagna Gallas Hangeland Clichy
Rosicky Vieira Fabregas Arshavin
Bendtner Eduardo
Hangeland? The noises from Hodgson & Wenger are that Hangeland will be transfered, and I think its highly likely since Gallas wont be able to play a full season. Djourou is a only a backup player and Nordveit is too young. Silvestre is not a top level player anymore. Vermaelen is similar to Gallas, but Gallas is proven.
Vieira? Song seems to be a nice guy, with his heart in the right place, but, he will never be a top level midfielder. He doesn’t have the pace, passing,stamina, or nous to play at this level. Furthermore, he is likely off to African Nations Cup this year. It would be suicidal of Wenger not to sign a DM. I think they are waiting on bids for other players. If they fall through, then I think Vieira comes.
Rosicky is a fantastic player when fit, and only marginally behind Arshavin in ability.
RVP is a wide player in a front 3. He doesn’t link well with any of the other strikers in a front 2. I see him coming off the bench (with Theo) when we switch to a 4-3-3.Bendtner is v good player at linking play in a front 2, and Eduardo is his natural partner. Both are very intelligent, and Eduardo holds the front line, which will compensate for Bendtners drifting.

Alumnia
Sagna Vermealan Gallas clichy
Song
Nasri Fabregas Arshavin Van Persie
Edwardo
This would be my first team. Van Persie plays in midfield for Holland so he is use to this role; or:-
Alumunia
Sagna Vermealan Gallas Clichy
Song
Nasri Fabrigas Arshavin Rosicky
Van Persie/Edwardo
I feel Nasri on the ball is accurate in passing and seldon gives away the ball and is quick down the flanks. Rosicky is also technical like Nasri but his work rate up and down the flanks is stronger to a certian degree defesively. Perhaps you need Van the man more offensive.
Brian Wenger.

Almunia
Sagna Gallas Vermaelen Clichy
Fabregas Song
Rosicky
Van Persie Eduardo Arshavin
obviously they arent all fit (namely rosicky and Nasri) so until they are then i suggest rotating Wilshere, Ramsey, Denilson and Diaby in the third midfield position.

your head laa . where bendtner can play seyy. bendtner is a useless striker.. the cool should be like this…
ALMUNIA
SAGNA GALLAS VERMAELAN CLICHY
WALCOTT FABREGAS WILSHERE/SONG
EDUARDO R.V.PERSIE ARSHAVIN

—————Almunia——————
–Sagna—Gallas—Vermaelen—Clichy—
—————-Djourou—————–
—————-Fabregas—————-
Walcott—————————Nasri-
———-Arshavin—-Van Persie——–
——————Eduardo————— If only we could play with 12 players??? I would get rid of djourou if i had to get rid of someone though

it doesnt matter what your starting line up is you pathetic shower of cunts, your still gonna be miles of the top 3, if you are to ever be a force to be reckoned with you need to sack that paedophile of a manager, I mean can you seriously think that any of your so called best 11’s here come near to Reina, Johnson, Aurellio, Carragher, Agger, Riera, Mascherano, Aquilani, Kuyt, Gerrard and Torres, didnt think so

4 3 3
almunia
sagna vermaelen gallas clichy
fabregas song nasri when fit but diaby for now
arshavin walcott rvp
subs
fabianski
djourou
eduardo
bendtner
rosicky when fit now denilson
wilshire
eboue
i think with walcotts pace he can run thru middle with the great vision of both arshavin and rvp playing him the thru balls however walcott will need to work on his finishin a tad he can be and i think will be as good as henry if he can perfect his finshin but eduardo is a natural finisher it was hard to choose between the two a good problem to have.

I think the 4-3-3 formation would be complete with the signing of a defense-minded midfielder. The squad lacks a proper player for that position, denilson doesn’t seem strong enough to play there while song doesn’t seem ready yet. One player I’ve thought would fit the arsenal style perfectly would be Miguel Veloso, young but experienced, good passing and technique, sweet left foot and an overall good DM. I hope Arsene is thinking of signing someone of this profile, else they might struggle in midfield.

The middle wasn,t even strong enough to play 442 he Wenger tried to cover with 451 which didn,t work he,ll never play 433 so Bentner/Chamakh with RvP or Eduardo Theo/ Nasri arshavin/Rossiky Fab.plus help etc.

Rosicky is very important to the team. Look hoy the did log ago with him in the team and how they were doing without him.
Rosicky-Arshavin-Fabregas. Those playing together will be really great.
Fabiansky
Eboue
Gallas
Vermahlen
Clichy
Arshavin
Fabregas
Diaby/Sagna
Rosicky
Van Persie
Walcott

4-1-3-2
Almunia
Sagna Gallas Vermaelen Clichy
Rosicky Song Fabregas Arshavin
vanPersie Eduardo
Subs: Bendtner, Walcott
*this is the team i’d recommend against strong opposition Chelsea … a strong defensive mindset with creativity.
*just to echo comments above, ROSICKY is key to this team – both defensively and offensively. Fabregas stays in deep and serves as a playmaker, while Rosicky can make plays but also get at the end of plays. Plus, he is one of the few Arsenal plays (with Arshavin) who are not afraid to shoot on sight!

Almunia
Sagna-Gallas-Vermaelen-Clichy
Song
Rosicky-FÃ¡bregas
van Persie-Eduardo-Arshavin
Rosicky (and Nasri) are actually best suited as offensive central midfielders, and they also possess the ability to run with the ball which will be extremely valuable and much better than having 3 “passers” in central midfield. It will sort of resemble Barcelonas midfield, with the exception of Cesc who is less agile and quick but more of a midfield general. Rosickys defensive qualities are hugely under-rated too, he’s used to running the midfield at Arsenal and his national team aswell.
Nicklas Bendnter shouldn’t be in the first choice eleven, Eduardo will do a much better job of finishing off the chances that Cesc, Rosicky, RvP and Arshavin will inevitably create. Arsenal don’t really need height and power, the Invincibles didn’t have a single offensive player that was good at heading.
All that is needed is depth at center back (if Senderos departs) and another defensive midfielder seeing as Song goes away to ACN in January, other than that Arsenal is all set.
They will surprise alot of people this season.

I cant believe some arsenal fans would leave Van Persie out of the team! When fit i think he is a match winner and a real class act. Id also prefer diaby over denilson. He hasnt developed like I thought he would when he first broke onto the scene but maybe this can be his year! Still too lightweight at the back tho,big brede would be a super addition and could make them possible contenders!

Don’t blame on the Sunshine don’t blame it on the moonlight don’t blame it on the good times blame it on Eboue. I Think as long as your black and young you’ll get in the team who ever does best at training if you get me hehe personally I think spurs and man city have better teams. And villa

[…] starting XI for the 09/10 season? What is Tottenham’s best starting XI for the 09/10 season? What is Arsenal’s best starting XI for the 09/10 season? What is Man Utd’s best starting XI for the 09/10 season? What is Liverpool’s best […]

[…] starting XI for the 09/10 season? What is Tottenham’s best starting XI for the 09/10 season? What is Arsenal’s best starting XI for the 09/10 season? What is Man Utd’s best starting XI for the 09/10 season? What is Liverpool’s best […]

with regards to injuries and suspensions at the moment i would say a 4-3-3 formation including
Almunia
sagna vermaelen gallas clichy

diaby song fabregas

arshavin rvp rosicky
this team is doing very well
diaby is stepping up this season!

but my perfect 11 would be
almunia
sagna vermaelen gallas clichy
nasri song fabregas
arshavin rvp rosicky
not much change jus nasri for diaby
but there will be room for rotation!
things are looking up for the gunners apart from that last minute setback at AZ
we should be back in form at west ham this sunday
then we will tear apart a liverpool team low on confidence and out of form on wednesday in the carl cup.
up the gunners
ARsenal4ever
gooner4life

100% agree with george. Only things that could change are that if Rosicky is fit he could get a spot, Denilson and Diaby will compete for a spot over Song and now that Clichy is injured there is a big opportunity for K.Gibbs to take his place in the first team. Gibbs has impressed me so far and it will be interesting to see how he plays in the next month.. Other than those things I see no other changes. The defense is settled, Fabregas and Nasri are class players and our front 3 with Walcott, RVP and Arshavin is just crazy. GO GOOONERS!!

now we’ve got all these injuries
i say we go for
ALmunia
Sagna Vermaelen Gallas Traore
Song Denilson
fabregas
walcott Nasri
Arshavin
i know we have no recognise striker but after arshavins performance against stoke coupled with Eduardo’s dip in form(we all know i, but we dont like to say it) i think we’ve got enough attacking threat see look Arshavin, walcott, nasri fabregas and vermaelen lol.